textless:This small and unassuming flower belongs to the Southwestern pipevine (Aristolochia watsoni
textless:This small and unassuming flower belongs to the Southwestern pipevine (Aristolochia watsonii), which grows in our yard and is the favorite host plant for pipevine swallowtail caterpillars. The plant is extremely toxic, and has been used (very carefully, I hope) for medicinal purposes. Another interesting thing about the plant is its unusual approach to attracting pollinators:Most pipevines are pollinated by deceiving insects into visiting the flowers; no reward is available. Usually the flowers smell like carrion or dung to attract insects that are seeking a place to lay eggs. The story of our species is even more remarkable. It is pollinated by Ceratopogonid flies; these are the small, blood-sucking flies that pester humans and other mammals in the humid summer. The flowers of Aristolochia watsonii resemble a mouse’s ear, translucent funnels with fur and veins, and give off a musty odor. The fly apparently expects to find a blood meal, and instead is trapped inside the flower tube overnight. During the night the flower releases pollen. The following morning the flower releases the pollen-covered fly. If the fly visits another flower it effects pollination. This description comes from Mark A. Dimmit, for the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, and you can read the rest of his article here.I love when plant are smarter than animals. -- source link
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